EXPLORING GOD’S WORD[80]

TOPIC: Proper use of our tongue!

I am sitting here giving some thought about little things that are powerful indeed; the tongue comes to mind. The Bible talks about the tongue a lot and the trouble it causes when misused.

WHAT ARE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE TONGUE?

*James 3:⁵ Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!  [ small but important]

*James 5:⁶ And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.  [ untameable ]

*Proverbs 21:²³ Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles. [an uncontrolled tongue can cause many troubles]

*Psalms 39:1 I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me. [a tongue misused can lead us to sin.]

*Psalms 139:⁴ For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether.  [God knows every word in our mouth before we speak it out.][ so be careful little tongue what you say!]

HOW SHOULD WE CONTROL THIS LITTLE MEMBER OF OUR BODY?

*Psalms 35:²⁸ And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long.   [ to speak of God’s goodness and righteousness ]

*Psalms 37:³⁰ The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment.  [ we are to speak wisely!]

*Psalms 119:¹⁷² My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness.

*Psalms 47:⁶ Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises. Psalms 126:² Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The Lord hath done great things for them.  [ We are to sing praises to the Lord!]

*Proverbs 31:²⁶ She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.  [ We are to choose our words wisely and use them with kindness!]

*Philippians 2:¹¹ And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. [ We confess Christ as our redeemer!]

[ prepared by Winston Staples ]

EXPLORING GOD’S WORD [77]

Today’s Word:  Praying or prayer

Scripture reading: Eph. 6:¹⁸ Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;  [ Saints should be praying for other Saints!]

Quote: Don’t pray when it rains if you don’t pray when the sun shines. ~Satchel Page

^{Psalms 145: 18} The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth. [ We are to talk to Him in spirit and truth!]

Quote: Prayer does not change God, but it changes him who prays. ~Soren Kierkegaard

Mark 11:24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.  [ pray in faith]

Quote: Prayer may not change things for you, but it sure changes you for things. ~Samuel M. Shoemaker

( prepared by Winston Staples )

 

EXPLORING GOD’S WORD 75

Today’s Word:  FAITH

Quote: Faith is like radar that sees through the fog. ~Corrie Ten Boom

Bible Verses for today: 1 Peter 1: ⁵ Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

⁶ Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:

⁷ That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

⁸ Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:

Quote: Reason is our souls left hand, faith her left. ~John Donne

[ prepared by Winston Staples ]

 

 

EXPLORING GOD’S WORD 74

Word of the Day: Courage

Quote: Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement that something else is more important than fear.  ~Ambrose Redmoon

Psalms 27:¹⁴ Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.

Quote: Every man has his own courage, and is betrayed because he seeks in himself the courage of other persons.  ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Psalms 31:²⁴ Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.

Quote: Courage is what is taken to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.  ~ Winston Churchill

Joshua 1:⁹ Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

^{Acts 28:15} And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii forum, and The three taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage.

As believers we should fight our adversary the devil using the words of God and the mighty tool of prayer daily with great courage.

[ prepared by Winston Staples ]

EXPLORING GOD’S WORD 73

Topic:   Proper attitude toward God’s Word :

*to stand in awe of: Psalms 119:¹⁶¹ Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in awe of thy word.

*tremble at the word: Isaiah 66:² For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the Lord: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and [trembleth] at my word.  ⁵ Hear the word of the Lord, ye that [tremble] at his word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name’s sake, said, Let the Lord be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed.

*speak faithfully the word: Jer. 23:²⁸ The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath my word, let him [speak] my word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat? saith the Lord.

*search the word: Acts 17:¹¹ These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and [searched] the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

*speak boldly: Acts 4:²⁹ And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with [all boldness ]they may speak thy word,  ³¹ And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and [they spake the word of God with boldness.]

*preach the Word: Acts 8:²⁵ And they, when they had testified and [preached the word] of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and [preached] the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.

*receive the Word: Acts 11: 1 And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the [Gentiles had also received the word of God.]

*Glorify the Word: Acts 13:⁴⁸ And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and [glorified the word] of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.

*obey the Word: 1 Peter 3:Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;

1 Peter 3:1-2 (AMP)

Godly Living

3 In the same way, you wives, be ^[a]submissive to your own husbands [subordinate, not as inferior, but out of respect for the responsibilities entrusted to husbands and their accountability to God, and so partnering with them] so that even if some do not obey the word [of God], they may be won over [to Christ] without discussion by the godly lives of their wives,^(A) 2 when they see your modest and respectful behavior [together with your devotion and appreciation—love your husband, encourage him, and enjoy him as a blessing from God].

*teach: Acts 18:¹¹ And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the Word of God among them.

*handle accurately: 2 Timothy 2:¹⁵ Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman who needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

*Do: James 1:²² But be ye doers of the Word and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

^{23 For if any be a hearer of the Word and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a mirror;}

*suffer: Rev. 1:⁹ I, John, who also am your brother and [companion in tribulation] and in the Kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the isle that is called Patmos, [for the Word of God] and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.

[ prepared by Winston Staples ]

ANOTHER FAVORITE BIBLE CHAPTER

I love the letter Paul wrote to the Romans so I chose chapter 5 to share with you as another favorite chapter.

Romans 5  (KJV)

5 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

² By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

³ And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

⁴ And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

⁵ And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

⁶ For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

⁷ For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.

⁸ But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

⁹ Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

¹⁰ For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

¹¹ And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

¹² Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

¹³ (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.

¹⁴ Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.

¹⁵ But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.

¹⁶ And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.

¹⁷ For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)

¹⁸ Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.

¹⁹ For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

²⁰ Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:

²¹ That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

I trust as you read this it will become your favorite too!

 

EXPLORING GOD’S WORD 72 [ LESSON 1 ]

TOPIC: witness of the Holy Spirit:

• Is truth — 1 John 5:⁶ This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.
• To be implicitly received— 1 John 5:⁶ This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.⁷ For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.

  ⁸ And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.

  ⁹ If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.

• Borne to Christ—- Luke 3:²² And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased .    John 1: ³² And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.³³ And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.
• Coming to redeem and sanctify—-1 John 5:⁶ This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.

[ to be continued ]

EXPLORING GOD’S WORD 71 [lesson 7]

Topic: REWARDS OF THE SAINT’S— 2 John 1:⁸ Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.   We must walk the walk and talk the talk of a follower of Christ that we will not lose a reward.

* Prospect of our receiving a reward should lead us to do the following:

• Be diligent—–[ 2 John 1:8 ]
• To press forward —– Phil. 3:¹⁴ I [press toward the mark ]for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.  
• To endure suffering —– 2 Cor. 4:¹⁶ For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.¹⁷ For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;¹⁸ While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. [ also read Hebrews 11:26 ].
•  To be faithful unto death —– Rev.2:¹⁰ Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.[ to be continued ]

EXPLORING GOD’S WORD 71 LESSON 6

Topic: Rewards of the Saints continued!

• The Saint enters into the joy of the Lord!  Matthew 25:²¹ His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.   Hebrews 12:² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
•  The Saint enters rest!  Hebrews 4:⁹ There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.  Rev.14:¹³ And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.
• Receive a prize in the high calling of God in Christ!  Phil.3:¹⁴ I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.  
• Matthew 19:²¹ Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.   Luke 12:³³ Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.  The Saint has treasure in Heaven!
• The Saint inherits an eternal weight of glory!  2 Cor.4:¹⁷ For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,
• The reward is full! 2 John 1:⁸ Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we^[a] have worked for, but may win a full reward.  [ESV.]
• The reward is sure!  Proverbs 11:¹⁸ The wicked earns deceptive wages,
      but one who sows righteousness gets a sure reward. 
• The reward satisfies!    Psalms 17:¹⁵ As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness;
      when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness.  [ESV.]
• Rewards cause rejoicing!   Romans 5:² Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, [and we rejoice] in hope of the glory of God.
• { to be continued}

SHARING WORDS OF LIFE!

This morning as I was doing my Bible readings, this chapter in 1 Peter seemed to say share! Here is that chapter and I pray it will speak to you as you read this and bless you.

1 Peter 5 King James Version (KJV)

5 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:

² Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;

³ Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being examples to the flock.

⁴ And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

⁵ Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

⁶ Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

⁷ Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

⁸ Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

⁹ Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

¹⁰ But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

¹¹ To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

¹² By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand.

¹³ The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son.

¹⁴ Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen.